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Bike around the Toronto Islands
Published by Anna Shevchenko, Writer
Country: Canada 
The Experience
In order to get to some of the best biking trails in Toronto, you will need to take a boat trip out to Toronto Islands.
Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands located offshore from downtown Toronto, and they have more than 10 km of cycle paths to explore. There are no cars on Toronto Islands, and undoubtedly the best way to explore it is by bike.
Three ferries that leave from the ferry docks in Toronto connect the city to the three main islands of Toronto Island Park: Hanlan’s Point, Centre Island, and Ward’s Island. No matter what island you dock at, the ferry ride is a lot of fun, offering one of the best views of the Toronto skyline.
Ward’s Island is farthest to the east, and gets its name after the Ward family who first settled there around 1830. Today, Ward’s Island is a small community of private residences. There is a public beach and a playground on Ward’s Island, and since it is a residential area, it does not get as busy as other parts of the Toronto Island Park on the weekends. Make sure to bring your camera, for homes on Ward’s Island are very photogenic.
Hanlan’s Point is the westernmost island of the Toronto Island Park. Also named after a family that used to reside on Hanlan’s Point, it has been a summer vacation place for Torontonians since the late 1800s. The old Gibraltar Point Lighthouse (built in 1808) is a testament to the historic past of the original island community. Other sights and facilities at Hanlan’s Point include tennis and volleyball courts, softball diamonds, lifeguard supervised beaches, snack bars, picnic areas, and wading pools. Hanlan’s Point is also where one of the Toronto Island Park’s bicycle rental shops is located.
Centre Island is the most popular and by far the busiest of the three islands. Centre Island offers another bicycle rental shop as well as most of the entertainment of the Toronto Islands. Centre Island is home to Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm. On Centre Island you can eat at Carousel Café and Island Paradise Restaurant. Franklin Children’s Garden and Avenue are perfect for an afternoon stroll. For the more adventurous types there is the Toronto Islands Recreation Ropes Challenge Course. To enjoy the waterfront, check out the Toronto Islands Marina with boat rentals and public boat moorings, as well as wading pools and beaches.
To enjoy the Toronto Islands by bike, you can either bring your own bicycle on the ferry, or get a rental from two of the rental shops on the islands. The Toronto Island Bicycle Rental (416-203-0009) offers a variety of regular bikes, as well as tandem bicycles ($6 and $13 per hour), and two and four-seat quadricycles ($16 and $28 respectively) for those who wish to explore the island in a group. There is a $10 to $40 deposit, depending on the type of bicycle you rent. The rental is open daily from May to October.
Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands located offshore from downtown Toronto, and they have more than 10 km of cycle paths to explore. There are no cars on Toronto Islands, and undoubtedly the best way to explore it is by bike.
Three ferries that leave from the ferry docks in Toronto connect the city to the three main islands of Toronto Island Park: Hanlan’s Point, Centre Island, and Ward’s Island. No matter what island you dock at, the ferry ride is a lot of fun, offering one of the best views of the Toronto skyline.
Ward’s Island is farthest to the east, and gets its name after the Ward family who first settled there around 1830. Today, Ward’s Island is a small community of private residences. There is a public beach and a playground on Ward’s Island, and since it is a residential area, it does not get as busy as other parts of the Toronto Island Park on the weekends. Make sure to bring your camera, for homes on Ward’s Island are very photogenic.
Hanlan’s Point is the westernmost island of the Toronto Island Park. Also named after a family that used to reside on Hanlan’s Point, it has been a summer vacation place for Torontonians since the late 1800s. The old Gibraltar Point Lighthouse (built in 1808) is a testament to the historic past of the original island community. Other sights and facilities at Hanlan’s Point include tennis and volleyball courts, softball diamonds, lifeguard supervised beaches, snack bars, picnic areas, and wading pools. Hanlan’s Point is also where one of the Toronto Island Park’s bicycle rental shops is located.
Centre Island is the most popular and by far the busiest of the three islands. Centre Island offers another bicycle rental shop as well as most of the entertainment of the Toronto Islands. Centre Island is home to Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm. On Centre Island you can eat at Carousel Café and Island Paradise Restaurant. Franklin Children’s Garden and Avenue are perfect for an afternoon stroll. For the more adventurous types there is the Toronto Islands Recreation Ropes Challenge Course. To enjoy the waterfront, check out the Toronto Islands Marina with boat rentals and public boat moorings, as well as wading pools and beaches.
To enjoy the Toronto Islands by bike, you can either bring your own bicycle on the ferry, or get a rental from two of the rental shops on the islands. The Toronto Island Bicycle Rental (416-203-0009) offers a variety of regular bikes, as well as tandem bicycles ($6 and $13 per hour), and two and four-seat quadricycles ($16 and $28 respectively) for those who wish to explore the island in a group. There is a $10 to $40 deposit, depending on the type of bicycle you rent. The rental is open daily from May to October.
When to Go to Toronto Island
The best time to bike Toronto Islands Park is during the warmer months of May through October. It is also when all of the facilities are open in the Toronto Islands Park. In the summer, it is best to bike in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. Keep in mind that Centre Island can get very crowded, especially on the weekends and during the public holidays. Ward’s Island and Hanlan’s Point are less packed and ideal for biking. The wait time for their ferries is usually shorter than that for the Centre Island.
Odds n' Ends
To rent a bicycle on the Toronto Islands, keep in mind that the rental shops are about 20 minutes away on foot from the docking areas of Centre Island or Hanlan’s Point ferries. It is best to familiarize yourself with the map of the Toronto Islands before coming. Better yet, get your own copy in order to take advantage of many small bays and islets around the Toronto Islands Park that offer a lot of privacy and stunning views of the waterfront. For food, visit the café or the restaurant on Centre Island or one of the numerous snack bars in the park (offering pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream). Another option is to pack your own food and enjoy the lawn space and the picnic tables available throughout the islands.
The ferries leave every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the crowds (between 9 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. most of the year). During the summer months, the boats start as early as 8 a.m. Ward Island ferry runs between 6:35 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. all year round. The ferry tickets are $6.50 for adults, $4.00 for students (ages 15-19, with a valid student ID), $4.00 for seniors (over 65), and $3.00 for juniors (14 and younger). The price is for the round trip. Don’t panic if you miss the last ferry, you can always take a water taxi that runs between the islands and downtown Toronto. Some of the companies to consider are Five Star Water Taxi (1-877-706-8294) and Toronto Harbour Water Taxi (416-203-8294).
The ferries leave every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the crowds (between 9 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. most of the year). During the summer months, the boats start as early as 8 a.m. Ward Island ferry runs between 6:35 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. all year round. The ferry tickets are $6.50 for adults, $4.00 for students (ages 15-19, with a valid student ID), $4.00 for seniors (over 65), and $3.00 for juniors (14 and younger). The price is for the round trip. Don’t panic if you miss the last ferry, you can always take a water taxi that runs between the islands and downtown Toronto. Some of the companies to consider are Five Star Water Taxi (1-877-706-8294) and Toronto Harbour Water Taxi (416-203-8294).
Places to Stay Nearby
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The Hotel features a Roof-top pool with a view of the Islands, CN Tower and Rogers Centre. Located downtown overlooking Toronto Harbour and Island, offering ... 1 miles away
$106 CAD+
Located right on the harbourfront and steps from the lake-park-subways-shops-theatres and restaurants. Its close proximity to Toronto Island Airport makes it a favorite for business ... 1 miles away
$194 CAD+
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Books and DVDs
- Top 10 Toronto
- Guidebook of top 10 attractions in Toronto, including the Toronto Islands. Ideas for other activities before and after a visit to the Toronto Islands.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Official Toronto city municipal website
- Information on Toronto parks and recreation - specifically Toronto Island Parks.
- Toronto Community website
- Latest details about what is happening on the island, and when.
Media References
- Mink colonizing Toronto Island (newspaper)
- Article on the benefits of a large mink residency of the islands.
- Toronto Islands slipping into Lake Ontario through erosion (newspaper)
- Article: Erosion caused by the pounding action of waves from Lake Ontario is chewing away at the islands.
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